Motor vehicle and vehicle driving mechanism



ay 3l, l938. i w. B. FAGEol.

MOTOR VHICIQ'E AND VEHICLE DRIVING MECHANISM www@ Filed April 6, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 31, 1938. vw. B. FAGl-:OL

MOTOR V'EIHILE .AND VEHICLE DRIVING MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/wm M/W//afm Fayed! as, ma :i www I i Wm/Maf May 31, 1938. W. B FAGEOL 2,113,810

MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE DRIVING MECHANISM Fil ed April 6, 1935 6 Sheets- Sheet 3 @43- K n @gmac/fis www @LY 31, W38. w B FAGEOL vMOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE DRIVING MECHANISM Flled Aprll 6, 1955 May 31, 1938. W. B. FAGEOL MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE DRIVING MECHANISM Filed April e, 1935 6 Sheets-,Sheet 5l A VVN W. B. FAGEOL MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE DRIVING MECHANISM May 31, 1938.

Filed April 6, V1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 JM fwd@ Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED 'srAfrEs PATENT. OFI-'ice aiutano-v Moron. VEHICLE AND vaincu: DRIVING MEcnmsM William Fageol, K-entfhio, assignor to-Twinl Coach Ohio Company, Kent-0hio, a corporation oi.'

Application Api-u c, 193s, serial 'N o. 15,085

s cum (cl. iso-s4) The present invention relates 4to motor-ve hicles, particularly ofthe type used for transporting relatively large numbers of passengers. More particularly, the invention resides in the novel disposition of the power plant -anddrive mechanism for a motor coach, and also in novel porting wheels have been -moved forward in prior the engine weight.

art vehicles employing arearwardly disposed power plant to avoid increasing the body length. This prior art practice is accompanied by `serious disadvantages such as a decreased wheel base for a given `length of vehicle, an unsymmetrical arrangement ofthe vehicle body and load on the wheels, and an undesirable rear overhang of Also, the housings for 'the rear wheels unduly obstruct the'useful oor space in the vehicle unless the floor thereof is located at an inconvenient distance above the ground.

This invention aims to dispose the rearwardly located power plant over the rear axle so that it is possible to locate the rear axle substantially at the end of the body frame and to bring the entire oor level occupied by seats between'the axles and below the wheel centers. Also in accordance with lthe present invention, driving power is transmitted from the power plant to the rear drive wheels of the vehicle` by a novel power transmission arrangement which forms the subject matter of a related application.

'I'he novel disposition of the power plant in a motor coach according to the present invention -makes possible a balanced construction inasend of the body projects beyond the front axlemuch as it is not necessary to project the rearend of the passenger carrying body beyond the rear axle, and the amount by which the front to the rear of the front wheel. lThe specific. door location will depend to some extent on the size o! the vehicle and the character of service to be to provide a novel motor coach construction emend of the body and to the rear of the passenger rendered. Because ofthe extremely low floor line of vehicles constructed in accordance with teachings of the present invention, it is possible to lower the roof without decreasing the headroom necessary to accommodate standing pas- 5 sengers thus lowering the -center of gravity of the vehicle. The power plant, transmission and radiator are above the normal collision line.

l5 bodying a passenger carrying body and a power plant supported in or on the body and4 over the axle supporting the rear of the body.

A further and related object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle having an espe cially favorable distribution of the total vehicle weight. l

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel seating arrangement for a movan easy step from the ground. -v

A still further object of the invention is to provide anovel rear engine motor coach in which the rear supporting axle is positioned at the carrying space thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a 'motor coach of novel construction in which the weight represented by the power plant and its accessories is borne by the body framing members which lie substantially above the supporting axle driven by the power plant.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a motor coach body of novel construction having thefioor thereof lying in or below the plane of the wheel centers thus permitting the roof of the body to be lowered without sacrifice of head-room necessary for the accommodation of standing passengers.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel .vehicle body structure in which the framing members thereof are arranged" to supportv an internal combustion engine and its accessories, and the body walls are arranged to house the engine at one side of apartition dividing the passenger space from the engine housing space.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle having a compartment for housing the power plant, its cooling radiator and other accessory equipment in a manner to permit convenient access thereto.

' A further and related object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle compartment for housing an internal combustion engine the latter being located above one of the vehicle sup` porting axles.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide openings in the body wall or walls of a vehicle, located above the zone of dust and road dirt for supplying cooling air to an engine cooling device housed within the vehicle.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of bumper in combination with the rear vehicle body wall and the adjacent vehicle framing structure.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel disposition of the exhaust pipe and muilier in a motor vehicle. As a result of the novel muiiler location, a current of heated air ows over the exterior of the rear window of the vehicle thereby keeping the window free from dust and ice.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel heating and Ventilating arrangement for a. motor vehicle wherein the heat from the exhaust muiiler is utilized to heat air circulated within the vehicle.

A still further object is to establish a downwardly owing current of air over the interior of the vehicle glass of a motor coach whereby to aid in checking the formation of frost on the glass.

Further objects of the invention will appear i'rom the following description and appended claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a passenger vehicle embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation to an enlarged scale of the vehicle construction illustrated in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a. fragmentary view to an enlarged scale of the rear portion of the vehicle of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional top plan 'view of the interior of the vehicle of Figure l showing the arrangement of the seats and door openings.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the body frame .onstruction.

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation of the frame construction shown in Figure 5.

Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of details of the control mechanism.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 4 but showing a modified seating and doo arrangement.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the exterior of the modied vehicle of Figure 9, and

Figure 11 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of another form of vehicle embodying the present invention.

throughout the several figures.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and for the present particularly to Figures l to 5, the vehicle I0 constructed in'accordance with the present invention has a passenger carrying Like reference characters indicate like parts body I I of substantially box-like form which is preferably constructed in such a manner that it is capable of sustaining the load of the power plant and its accessories which are positioned in a. novel manner above the vehicle drive axle. The power plant in the embodiment chosen for illustration is composed of an internal combustion engine |2 and the mechanical transmission means for imparting powerl to the driven vehicle wheels. It will be understood, however, that it is within the scope of the present invention to employ electrical or other means of power transmission with the main power plant disposed in the vehicle in the novel manner to be described. The body is supported on a front axle I4 and a rear drive axle I5 by springs I6 and I1 which are shackled to certain of the body frame members in a manner to be described. The front wheels IB are connected to the axle I4 in any well known mannerto provide for steering of the vehicle and in the embodiment shown, the rear wheels I9 serve to drive the vehicle on the roadway.

The body framing members adjacent the rear of the vehicle are arranged in a novel manner to support the power plant in position above the drive axle, and the body is constructed to provide space for its accommodation. The base frame of the vehicle to which the body sides and ends are rigidly connected is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and includes longitudinal frame members 20 and 2| which lie substantially in the plane of the body sides. The members 20 and 2| may be continuous around the rear of the body I I to form the end frame member 22. An end frame member 23 for the front of the vehicle body may be provided in a similar manner.

A series of transverse members 24 which are substantially in the shape of a Z in cross-section adjacent the front and rear ends of the vehicle to accommodate the wheels-I8 and I9. A centrally located longitudinal member 21 of channel shape in cross-section extends from the transverse member 28 adjacent the rear of the arched portions 25 to the transverse member 29 in front of the arched portions 26. Diagonal membersl 3| are secured at their ends to the members 20 and 2| and cross adjacent the center of the vehicle. At the point of intersection of the members 3| they are suitably secured to the central member 21 and serve to impart rigidity to the sub-frame enabling it to resist lateral stresses and twisting stresses.

A transverse frame member 33 is secured at its ends to the members 20 and 2| at the forward end of the arched portions 25. Auxiliary longitudinal frame members 34 and 36 of Z shape in cross-section extend from the transverse member 28-forwardly to the end frame member 23.

Brackets 38 are secured to the transverse member 28 to which the spring shackles 39 are pivotally connected. The forward ends of the forward vehicle springs I6 are pivotally connected to brackets 4| which are secured to the transverse member 33. Each bracket 4| is also secured to the adjacent one of members 34 and 36. 'Ihe auxiliary longitudinal members 34 and 36 serve j to relieve the endconnections of the transverse members 28 and 33 of twisting strains imposed by the springs. The auxiliary members 34 and 36 are joined by an additional relatively short transverse member 42. The gear -shift control device Il is supported by short lateral members '0 9 which are carried by the members and 39.

A bracket 49 which is adapted to support the vehicle steering gear is secured upon an inclined member of channel shape secured at its ends to the forward frame member 2g2 and the lateral member 3l. The sub-frame structure about the door opening is strengthened by an auxiliary frame member 49 `which extends beneath the curved continuation of the forward frame member 23. The floor 59 is supported on the members 24 and the iront members 94 and 39 and the floor extends substantially from the end member 23 to a pointradjacent the front of the rear wheels I9. Y' It will be understood that the side frame memmadeup of separate parts welded or otherwisel suitably joined together.

The vertical framing members il and 52 for the sides and ends ofthe body4 are gussetted yto the side and end frame members at appropriate places. The upright members 9i of the side frame and the upright members 52 of the endframes are joined together in the super-structure of the coach so that the side and end frames for the body-serve to stiffen the sub-frame.

The forward wheels are enclosed by wheel housings N-secured to the arched frame porv tions 25 and to the transverse frame members 29 and 23.

In the type of vehicle illustrated in Figures l to 4, the side frame member 29 is interrupted at the door opening located between the front and rear wheels so as to provide a shallow step-well. The sub-frame is reinforced at this point by a drop frame member B5. In the vehicle body in its preferred form. the floor "will be located within an easy step from the ground as illustrated by Figure l of the drawings. In thevehicle of Figures 9 and 19 to be later described, it is unnecessary to interrupt the side frame member 2| and the forward frame member 23 which are substantially at the same level, to provide for door openings.

The vehicle framing members adjacentthe rear of the body are arranged in a4 manner to support the transversely located power plant substantially above the vehicle drive axle, and to.

that end a pair of elevated transverse members 99 and 9D are provided. `'I'he member` 59 is s'upported adjacent each end by meansof brackets, each of which may consist of a plate bent so as to have at portions at right anglesto each other. One of the ilatportions 62 of each bracket i's secured to the vertical web of the side frame member 2U or 2i and also against the vertical web of one of the arched portions 26 of the side frame by fastening means 63. The other flat portion 64 of the bracket is secured against the vertical web of the transverse member 29 and the elevated transverse member 59.

The transverse member 60 is secured at each end to one of the arched portions of the side frame 2B by means of brackets 66 each having a vertical portion which is riveted or otherwise secured to the vertical web of thearched portions 26, and -is also provided with an inturned horizontal ange upon which an end of the `member 60 rests and to which it is secured as.,

by rivets.`

-Relatively shortlongitudinal members 68 and l99 extend rearwardly from the transversemem.- ber 29 to which they are secured at one end. At their other end these members 99 and 6.9 ex- -tend beyond .the elevated transverse member 90 projecting portions are provided with brackets 12 in which one end of one of the spring shackles 13 is pivoted. Each spring i1 isl plvotally secured to the other end of each shackle 13. Pivota1.connections for the front end of each 'of the springs vi1 are provided by means of inverted U-shaped brackets ,16 which are secured vto thel underside ofthe elevated transverse frame member 59. In order to relieve the brackets 16 and the transverse member 59 of torsional stresses imposed bythe springs during heavy -load periods, tension members parallel to each springl at the point of support are provided. These'tension members consist of short lengths of angle iron' 11 secured to each side of the longitudinal member l|59. `The forwardly projecting ends -of the -angle bar members are secured to l the downwardly depending sides of the U-shaped brackets. The brackets 16 adjacent the longitudinal member 69 are likewise braced in this manner by anglebars 11. To further strengthen the spring support for the front end of the spring, if desired, short vertical angle bars .8l may b'e provided extending from the lower end of the depending legs of the U-shaped brackets 19 to the web of the transverse member 29.

The power plant which comprises the internal combustion engine i2 and the casing -94 for the transmission and' clutch mechanism is supported at one side upon brackets 89 of which two are provided and which rest upon the elevated transverse member 69 Another similar bracket 91 is secured to a transverse member 89 of Z shape in cross-section. This member .88 isconnected at its ends to the arch portions 26 of the side frames and is additionally supported between itsl ends by means of angle brackets 89 which are vsecured to the longitudinal 'members 98 and 99 and the vertical web of the member 99.

The engine i2 and the casing 84 are provided `with1brackets 9i which are connected to the supports 86 and 81 by noise suppressing means including rubber or' other suitable resilient material. The casing .99 is. supported at its end space of the vehicle therefore lies between the front and rear wheels and the floor 50 is level and free from interfering projections. The floor 50 may be made as low as desired since it can end in front of the rear wheels Without'any sacrifice of useful floor area.

A panel 96 extends upwardly from the floor 90 to the elevated transverse member 59 and serves to enclose the rear end of' the passenger compartment of the' body from the floor line to the front'of the rearmost seat or group of seats 91- wh'ch are located forwardly of the rearv Wheels i 9.

A compartment 98 for the power plant and all of the equipment is enclosed between the sloping rear wall 99 of the vehicle and an inner wall IOI. 'Ihe rear wall 99 slopes downwardly to the end member 22 of the vehicle frame to which it is secured. Mounted on the engine I2 and driven therefrom are the usual accessories such as the starting motor, electric generator and a fluid compressor for operating the auxiliary` equipment of the vehicle. The cooling radiator |03 for the engine in the embodiment of the invention shown is mounted in an elevated position in the compartment 98 at one side of the engine and adjacent the side wall of the vehicle over the rear wheel housing. The radiator in this position is favorably disposed to be cooled by clean cool air, as will be pointed out, and its location does not interfere with other equipment in the compartment 98. Louvres |04 are provided in the body side wall in line with the elevated radiator through which air is drawn by the fan |06 driven from the engine crankshaft by means of a pulley |01 and the driving belt |05. The air drawn in by the fan may be exhausted through similar louvres in the opposite side wall of the vehicle if desired. A natural draft assisting the action of the fan |06 may be secured by having the opening of the set of louvres adjacent the radiators faced toward the iront of the vehicle while the openings of the louvres in the opposite side of the vehicle face toward the rear. It is to be noted that the louvres are located in the body wall above the dirt line so that clean air is drawn in for engine cooling purposes and for Ventilating the compartment 98. The storage battery |08 is located above the wheel housing in a position opposite the radiator |03 in the compartment 98. The battery rests upon a supporting frame composed of the angle bars |09 and I, the frame being supported at one end upon the member 60 by means of a vertical member-I I2. 'I'he fuel tank ||4 is disposed in the bottom of the compartment 98 just in front of the rear wall 99 and the opening in the ller pipe ||5 is conveniently accessible upon opening the compartment.

The rear of the vehicle is provided with a novel bumper arrangement for preventing scarring of the body walls 99 and for absorbing shocks in the event of a rear collision. The bumper arrangement comprises horizontal members ||6 at each side of the vehicle. Each member IIB is secured at one end thereof by suitable means as rivets ||1 to the arched portion 26. The opposite end of each member I6 is secured to a relatively exible vertical member ||9. The vertical members ||9 and the vertical members |20 which are spaced between members ||9 are all secured to a body framing member I2 I, which extends across the vehicle at the rear. The members I9 and |20 are slotted at their lower end to receive headed fastening means |23 which project outwardly from and are secured to the rear transverse member 22. 'I'he slotted connection at the lower end of the vertical members permits these members to deflect in the event of a collision. An important feature of the bumper arrangement just described is that it affords no foothold for children or unauthorizedpersons for hanging on to the rear end of the bus. The horizontal members ||6 are set relatively close to the Vbody walls so that they will not aiord a foothold. It is to be noted that the novel bumper arrangement just described eliminates the necessity of making a shield or guard for the bumper and is strong and durable since it is connected to the framing members for the bus.

The exhaust pipe |25 from the engine |2 communicates with a mufller |26, ylocated in the roof of the vehicle body. To accommodate the mufiler, a pocket |28 is'formed by carrying the roof down vertically and horizontally and the longitudinal framing members |3| at the end of the vehicle roof extend downwardly and horizontally as indicated by the reference characters |29 and |30 to provide a support for the roof cover. A cover |32 for the pocket |28 provides an air scoop which serves, upon movement of the vehicle, to draw air into the pocket and exhaust it from the pocket |28 and for this purpose the cover |32 is spaced outwardly from the body covering along its edges |34 and |35. An aperture |38 in the end Wall of the pocket |28 accommodates the exhaust pipe where it enters the pocket. A clip |39 on the exhaust pipe at one end of the muiller and an iron brace I4I at the other end secures the muiller in position in the pocket 28. The pipe I 42 whichconducts the exhaust gases from the muilier to the atmosphere projects from the end of the muler opposite the exhaust pipe |25 through a notch in the cover member |32. It will be noted that the pipe |42 enters the muffier at a point which is offset from the exhaust pipe |25 which will have the eiect of trapping the condensed moisture when the cold motor is rst started up and prevent it from splattering water on the roof of the coach. A drip cup |44 is provided beneath the opening of the exhaust pipe to collect moisture. 'I'he cup |44 may be provided with a suitable drain concealed within the interior of the compartment 98.

The interior of the vehicle body occupied by the passengers is warmed by means of air circulated around the muiiler |26 which is heated to a relatively high temperature when the engine is in operation. For this purpose a blower or fan |46 is provided having an intake conduit |41 which communicates with the interior of the body through an opening in the wall |I. The discharge conduit |48 of the fan communicates with the interior of the pocket |28. Two conduits or ducts |49 -adjacent each end of the mufer connect the interior of the pocket 28 with the interior of the coach through openings in the wall |0|. l The fan |46 draws air from inside of the body and blows it into the pocket |28 where it is heated by the muiller and passes out-through the conduits or passages |49 back into the body. This action takes place in the upper section of the body with the result that it will blow the heated air straight forward in the upper section.

A portion of the air which is drawn from the body through the blower intake |41 is or may be mixed with fresh air entering under the edge |34 of the cover member |32 so that a constant supply of fresh heated air is obtained which mixes with the air drawn from the interior of the coach body. It may be desirable however in some installations to provide a cover over the pocket |28 and beneath the cover member |32 so as to preclude entry of outside air into the pocket |28. The shield or covering |32 will serve to force warmed air down over the window located in the rear of the vehicle, keeping it free from dust and frost.

'Ihe heating effect of the arrangement just described is,combined in a novel manner with the heating'effect of a hot water heater |52 located adjacent the front wall of the vehicle. 'I'he heater |52 is provided with circulating water from the cooling system of the internal combustion en- `panels |54 and |55 which may be opened to the full line positionillu'strated in Figure 1 of the drawings to give access to the power plant and all of its accessories so that they may be readily inspected. -The lower panel when it is dropped uncovers the illling connection ||5 for the fuel tank. Vision to the rear from the interior ofthe l vehicle is provided by a window located'at |56'.

and set in the inner wall |9| and a window |61 in the hinged panel |54 in line with the'window |56. The lower hinged panel may be provided with an illuminated recess for the license plate and with rear lamps and also the necessaryl wirf y.

ing for the lamps.

It will be noted that'the front' Wallas welll` v as the rear wall 99 of the vehicle is slopedand;l blends into the top line of the arched roof; 156:3 The side walls |59 and |69 are likewise blended into the line of the roof which gives the vehiclea graceful and streamlined appearance ywhen viewed-"from any direction. By reason of the.

4 fact that the floor of a vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention is unusually low, the roof thereof may be brought lowwithout decreasing the head-room necessary for proper accommodation of standing passengers and this permits the overall height of the vehicle to bede- I creased, lowering its center of gravity and -enhancing its streamlined appearance.

The rear drive wheels I9 are driven from the vehiclepower plant through the novel driving connection winch forms the subject matter of a sep- -arate application. The disposition of the power plant within the vehicle body above the rear wheels has been described above and the general relationship of the drive mechanism to the power plant and rear Wheels will be described. The details of the drive mechanism are described -in detail in my .separate application above referred to.v The power plant and the associated transmission mechanism is preferably of unitary construction and may, if desired, be substantially like that dlsclosed in my copending application S. N. 729,115, which was filed in the Patent Oiice June 5, 1934. The housing 94 for the transmission and the 'housing for the clutch are either integral or are made separately and secured together, the former construction being preferred which results in a single housing 84. The housing 64 has an annulargilange |62. at its end which is adapted for connection by bolts or other suitable means to the end of the engine housing. This-arrangement permits the casing 94 to be secured to the engine in any -angular position desired.

'I'hehollow power take-oi shaft |63 is driven from a bevel or mitre gear on the final drive shaft of the transmission mechanism, the said gear being in mesh with a bevel gear associated with the shaft |63. One form of mechanism by which the intermeshed bevel gears may derive power from the engine will be apparent from an inspection ofthe copending application Serial No. 729.115 referred'to above. The gears are a. part H ulation by the vehicle operator.

of the novel mechanism described in detail in the application first referred to above, the said mechanisml including a shaft vwhich is splined in the shaft |63 and p'ermits it-to move axially 'as the springs |1 are deflected.

A propeller' shaft |66 extends upwardly from the differential mechanism in the drive axle |5 and is interconnected with the power take-oi! shaft |63 through a-pair of universal joints |61 of any approved design ,connected together so as to transmit power with uniform angular velocity. The change speed transmissionl mechanism, the clutch and the vehicle brake may be placed-under control of the operator at the forward end of the vehicle by control means similarto those illustrated and described in my copending application Serial No. 729,115, orby a control mechanism. ncwfto be described.

The change speed transmission mechanism is under control of a lever |69 (Figure 7) located adjacent the steering gear for convenient manip Two rods |1| and |12 (Figure 5) extend from the box 43 into which `the lever |69 projects to the arms |13 and |14fof apair of bell-crank levers which are piv. lotallyx'nonnted at the rear of the vehicle. The

rods |11' and |12 are disposed beneath the oor ofthe.' vehicle and pre erably pass through the verticalwebs o! the t ansverse members of the base frame to conserve space.

Rods |18 and- |19 are connected to theibellcrank lever arms |89 and |8| and these rods are connected to control -levers which project from` v the change speed transmission casing and oper4 ate the gear shifting devices of the transmission.

Control levers which may be operated by the rods `tand |19. are disclosed in my companion applicationi previously referred to.

The clutch is operated by' a rod |82 which is moved axially by a clutchv operating pedal |99 fbrongha linkil. A swinging lever |65 causes the end of |82 to move in a substantially straight line in spite of the upward pull of the link |89.

j The rod- |82 transmits its movement to a second rod |96 which by means of its connection to the lever |81 rotates the clutch operating shaft |99. l The emergency brake lever |9| serves to operatea pull rod' |92 which is connected in any suitable manner with the brake shoes which are adapted to cooperate with the brake disc |99 (Figure 2). The brake disc |93 forms apart of the mechanism which is Vused to transmit power from the transmission mechanism to the power take-off shaft' |63.

The engine throttlev'alve is operated by a pedal device |95 situated' on the floor of the vehicle. A rod |96 is moved by a lever on a rock shaft |98 and the rod |96,transmits movement to a throttle operating r'odl |99 through a rod 299,. Levers on-a rock shaft 29| operatively'interconnect the rod |96 to rod 299 and a bellcrank lever 293 serves to operatively connect the rod 299 to the operating rod |99.

The lcontrol arrangements just described provide forY complete'reinote control of the power plant and drive mechanism which is located in the compartment at the rear of the vehicle. The service brakes for the vehicle are operated in the lusual manner by fluid operating means-under control of the vehicle operator by a suitable pedal operated valve.

The space longitudinally of the vehicle between the wheels whichis available in the body of a vehicle constructed as above described and in accordance with`the present 'invention provides room for a maximum number of forwardly facing passenger seats in a vehicle of given length. The door openings 206 and 201 open into the step-wells 208 and 209. The treads of the step-wells are within easy reach from the roadway and are but very little below the level of the oor 50. The step-wells 208 and 209 may be omitted entirely if the oor height is selected so as to be within one step from the roadway and such'a construction is illustrated in Figure I of the drawings. It will be appreciated that an extremely low fioor is possible in a. vehicle constructed in accordance with the presentI in' vention inasmuch as the oor height is not governed by the disposition of the power plant and the vehicle driving mechanism. The operators seat 2|| may be elevated as shown upona raised platform 2| 2 enabling the operator* to more readily observe the roadway and supervise operation of the doors and collection of fares.

The seats within the body are preferably arranged as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. A row of forwardly facing double seats 2M is disposed along one side of the body. Other double seats 2|6 are disposed at the opposite side of the vehicle so as to provide an aisleway 2|8 between the rows of forwardly facing seats 2|4 and 2|6.

The wide passageway 2|8 extends from the rear group of seats 91 forwardly to the space between the forward wheel housings which latter space is readily accessible from the doorway 206. A hand rail 2 |9 provides a convenient handhold for passengers entering the vehicle and prevents interference with the operator. Two seats 22| and 222 are mounted over the wheel housings facing each other whereby the .space between the wheel housings may be occupied by standing passengers waiting to pay or deposit fares.

The seating arrangement described provides nineteen forwardly facing seats with ample aisle space and space for fare collecting operations. In addition two passengers are comfortably accommodated on the seats 22| and 222, making a total of twenty-one seats, none of which are located in overhanging portions of the vehicle body.

Figures 9' and 10 of the drawings illustrate a modified form of vehicle wherein the oor is of such height as to be readily accessible without the aid of step-Wells and in which the position of the end door is altered.. Theentrance and exit doors 223 and 224 are located between the front and rear wheels of the body, the front wheels being located at the extreme frontend of the body. It is to be especially noted that stepwells are not necessary as the oor is level with the bottom of the do'ors. Reference character 225 indicates treads Aor plates level with the oor. The drivers seat 226 is located beside the -wheel housing at the left side of the vehicle and a rearwardly facing double seat 221 is provided beside the drivers seat. The seat 221 partly overlaps the Wheel housing atv the right side of the vehicle. VA row of seats 228 is located along one side of the body and a similar row of seats 229 is provided at the other side of the body leaving a relatively wide aisle 23| between the seats on each side of the body. A single seat 232 is positioned to the rear of the left hand wheel housing and the operators seat 226.- With the seating arrangement just described an exit is available for practically every passenger in the vehicle and at a distance of not more than three or four steps from the seats which they occupy. It will be noted that the seating and door arrangement just described allows for segregation of the passengers into two groups when this` is necessary or desirable. Also, this seating arrangement while making edicient use of the total floor area for the accommodation of seated passengers allows sufiicient space adjacent the operators'station to care for standing passengers who have not yet paid their fare.

In the modification. of Figure ll, the forward driving engine 240 is located in the roof of the vehicle and is or may be housed in by a cover 24|. The engine 240 drives the` transmission mechanism 242 through the clutch 243. The power shaft extending between the clutch 243 and the engine is contained within a tubular member 244 which may serve as a hand hold for passengers. Driving power is imparted to the driving axle 246 by a driving connection indicated at 241.

The transmission mechanism is under control of the vehicle operator by means of a lever 248 and the clutch is controlled by the rock shaft 249 which .is operated by the lever 25| and the link 252.

If desired, the rear axle 263 may also be driven by means of a second engine 240 which is located above the rear axle. The clutch and transmission mechanism for the engine which drives the rear axle are controlled by the rod 254 and the link 258 which are interconnected in a suitable manner with the lever 248 and the link 252. Engines 240 are preferably controlled by a single throttle control device.

Each engine 24| is shown as being of the air cooled type and provided with a fan 251 to force cooling air to pass around the cylinders. Suitable openings are provided in the roof of the vehicle to permit forced circulation of cooling air under the influence f the fan 251. It will be understood however that the engine cylinders may bejacketed for cooling in the usual manner and the fluid circulated in the Jackets may be cooled by a cooling radiator.

While I have illustrated in Figure 11, a vehicle having front and rear driving axles. it will be understood that either the front axle 246 or the rear axle 253 may be the driven axle.

It will be seen from the foregoing complete disclosure of my invention that a vehicle driving arrangement is provided which permits the vehicle to be constructed in the lightest possible manner and with a fioor as low as may be desired. Also the wheel base for a vehicle of given length is increased by utilizing the driving arrangement forming part ofthe present invention and it is to be especially noted that overhang of the vehicle body is eliminated. The passenger seats on a coachl constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention may be located between the vehicle wheels eliminating troublesome wheel housing interference. Because of the low vehicle iioor, the roof of the coach may be lowered decreasing the head-room which is necessary to accommodate standing pass engers.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing de,-A scription. and all changes which come within the andere i meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: l

l. A motor vehicle comprising a body having a passenger seating space with iioor level substantially in the plane of the wheel axes, front and rear road wheels supporting said body, a power plant disposed transversely within the body directly over the space between said rear road wheels and adapted to be drivingly connected therewith, a partition in said body substantially vertically extensive above the front extremities of said rear wheels for separating said passenger seating space from the portion of said body hbusing said power plant, driving means behind said partition and connected between said power plant and said rear wheels, said driving means being disposed substantially in the vertical planel of the wheel axes, and the rear end of the body being disposed closely adjacent the power plant and the rear extremities of the rear Wheels.

whereby said body comprises a power plant compartment located wholly directly over the rear wheels and a passenger compartment disposed entirely forwardly of the rear wheels.

2. A motor vehiclecomprising front and rear road wheels, a body including a passenger compartment supported on said wheels, said body being provided with a substantially vertical transverse partition adjacent said rear wheels to form an engine compartment behind said passenger compartment, said partition and the rear wall of said body having aligned observation openingsl for providing a line of sight to the rear of said vehicle from said passenger compartment, an engine disposed over said rear road wheels below said line of sight, and a device receiving the exhaust from the engine, said device being disposed in the upper part of the engine compartment above said observation openings.

3. A motor vehicle comprising iront and rearr sets of wheels; a full width body-comprising a. pay-load compartment having a floor level at substantially the plane of the wheels axes and terminating closely adjacent the front extremities.

of the rear wheels, and apower plant compartment complemental to the rear end of said payload compartment and disposed overA the axis of the set of rear wheels, said power plant compartment being suiiiciently wide to overhang the lateral extremities of the rear wheels and voiv such dimension longitudinally of the vehicle as to slightlypoverhang the rearward extremities of said rear wheels; and a power plant mounted within said compartment and comprising a transverse engine and auxiliaries therefor disposed directly above said rear wheels and the axis thereof.v

4. A motor vehicle comprising front and rear wheels, a' body supported on said Wheels and including a pay-load compartment disposed forwardly of the axis of the rear wheels and slightly overlapping the latter, al power plant mounted in the rear of said body and comprising a combustion engine transversely disposed directly above said wheel axis, a radiator at one end of saidengine and located directly over a rear wheel at one side of the vehicle, means for causing air to circulate through said radiator, power plant auxiliaries located at the opposite end of the engine just above a rear wheel at the other side of the vehicle, and a transverse fuel tank oompactly slung below the rear edge of said engine, said power plant, fuel tank and the rear end of said pay-load compartment forming an arch over and snugly conforming to the top of the cylindrical space between therear wheels.

5. A motor vehicle comprising front and rear wheels, a bodysupported on said wheels and including a pay-load compartment disposed forwardly of the axis of the rear wheels and slightly overlapping the latter, a power plant assembly mounted in the rear of saidbody and comprising an axially aligned engine and clutch and transmission mechanisms, said power plant assembly being disposed directly above said rear 'Y 

